Local author Rody Johnson explores German U-boats off the coast of Vero Beach

VERO BEACH - The Emerson Center Florida Humanities Series, in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council and sponsored in part by Marine Bank & Trust, continues on Jan. 23, with "World War II U-boat Attack of Vero Beach" by Vero Beach author/journalist Rody Johnson.

During the early days of World War II, German U-boats crept along the U.S. east coast off of Vero Beach. As a child, Johnson heard whispers about them. His father, Kit Johnson, a Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer, patrolled the coastline in his small fishing craft to search for and rescue the survivors of ships torpedoed by the Germans. Rody Johnson has written a touching remembrance to his father.

The Florida Humanities Series is presented by The Emerson Center at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Vero Beach. Four acclaimed speakers and performers will be presented free at the Center now through April 2014, with all presentations relating to Florida history and issues. Admission to each is complimentary and all performances will begin at 7 p.m.

Other performances in the Humanities Series will include: February 13 -- "The Unconquered Seminole People and their traditions;" March 6 --"Sea Cows, Seaweed and Spanish Moss: How Floridians Coped when Times were Hard;" and concluding the series on April 3 is "St. Augustine's Unseen Heritage: The Archaeology of Early Colonial Life in America's Oldest European Community."

Funding for these programs is provided through a grant from the Florida Humanities Council with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the Florida Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The capacity of the Emerson Center is more than 800; free admission will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. The Emerson Center is handicap accessible and is conveniently located at 1590 27th Avenue, on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue in Vero Beach. For more information, contact 772-778-5249.

This story is contributed by a member of the community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.